Two people were once discussing Christianity, one a believer, the other an unbeliever. As they talked about the grace of God, and eternal life, the unbeliever turned to the Chris- tian and said, “Yes, I understand all that about eternal life. But that is all pie in the sky. What does believing in Jesus do for me here and now?” That is a question that can cause many to hesitate and get confused, because we (at least in the evangelical camp) tend to focus more on the after-life rather than the here and now.

But there are real impacts in this life for a person who becomes a Christian, some more obvious, some less, depending on the individual’s life situation. These impacts are not relegated only to the spiritual realm, either. “Salvation and Social Change”, or “Redemption and Lift” as it has been called in the past, has clear consequences for the new believer and his or her family, in the positive ways that a new Christian’s life improves over the course of time.

Children are often the last group we consider when making decisions, yet they often bear the brunt of bad choices. The apostle James exhorts us to look after widows and orphans in their hardship. In this issue we look at what some are doing to care for these who are often marginalized by society, and how some have dealt with their own hardship.

The next generation is the hope of the world and the Church. Someone once said, “There are no grandchildren in the Kingdom of God, we are all His children.” We must work while it is still day because night is coming and no man can work” (John 9:4). Helping the at-risk children is one of the things God wants us to do.

Table of Content

Children at Risk

Guest Editorial by Beverly Skiles

Kingdom Kids by Michelle Gardner

Children in Crisis — A True Story by Cheryl Dunn

Get Involved by Cheryl Dunn

Boys @ Risk by Gene Anderson

Looking in the Face of Suicide: What the Church Can Do to Help by Michael D. Wright

Are you Rushed Bushed, Pushed. ..You can lead a cool, calm, efficient and successful life was the title of a speech I read quite early in my missionary career. It was written by a Christian business man. He gave suggestions to help us prioritize and so make decisions when we have a conflict in the four major areas of our life, our relationship to God, our family, our work and our ministry. As part of prioritization the ability to say, “No,” was important. He also mentioned what the Chinese refer to as “the principle of the three eights” (san ba ju yi)! Eight hours sleep, eight hours work, and eight hours when we are free to do as we like. Through adhering to these principles a rhythm was established in my life that laid a good foundation for my missionary career.

The focus, Rest & Recreation touches all missionaries. Not only the when and how of vacations or holidays, but the concept of “rest” for God’s people as mentioned in Hebrews. We enter a rest when we receive salvation through the finished work on the cross of Jesus. There is also the day by day rest we experience through freedom from sin and deliverance from the onslaught of demonic powers that daily attack us.